Alison Wagner, Green Mountain Audubon Society President
Header image: Grasshopper Sparrow, Steve Byland
Whether you’re a conservationist, a lister, or a bird advocate, please take a moment to read this action alert. As many of you know, the Franklin County Airport supports the largest breeding population of Grasshopper Sparrows in Vermont. There is only one other location in Vermont that has a somewhat sustainable, albeit smaller population historically, therefore the airport site is critical for this species to continue to breed in Vermont, to sustain a population. Currently, the airport also hosts breeding Eastern Meadowlarks and Eastern Whip-poor-wills. All three species are listed as threatened in Vermont.
Anyone that has been to the airport recently must have noticed there is a runway widening project in progress. This project was never reviewed for impacts it may have on endangered or threatened species, in violation of Vermont’s Endangered Species Act, which requires issuing a permit prior to construction. Also, a runway lengthening project is currently being proposed; VTRANS has submitted an application for this. These projects will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the Grasshopper Sparrow population, which prior to construction, supported as many as 13 nesting pairs. Eastern Meadowlarks were confirmed breeding at the airport this spring as well.
Based on the permit application, the timing of the proposed work is scheduled to happen prior to any grassland restoration or mitigation which may result in these sparrows being lost. The draft permit essentially admits defeat and asks for 3 plans from VTRANS. These plans should be strict, should hold VTRANS accountable for any population declines, and the Vt Fish and Wildlife Department should oversee the quality of the plans and the implementation, not the Agency of Natural Resources.
Click here to see both the VTRANS application.
Click here to see VT FWD's draft permit.
Please scroll through to see the section "Permits in the Public Comment Period”.
The proposal is open for public comments until July 14th. I am asking you to speak up for the birds.
You can email your comments to:
ANR.EndangeredPermit@vermont.gov
Hopefully, together we can help minimize this project's impact on bird species!